Its hard to express in words what my father in law meant to me.  He went home to be with the Lord Saturday night, November 3rd.  Sonya and I were fortunate to be able to get here to say goodbye before he passed.  Though his life was a short 61 years, 1 week shy of his 62nd birthday, Larry impacted me greatly.

You see, it was Larry who was instrumental in bringing me to Christ.  I was a punk kid wanting to date his daughter.  On the way to Sonya’s parents house, right before he passed, I told her how fortunate it was that he let her date me.  If Hannah brought a guy home like I “was”, I wouldn’t let her date him.  I had gotten my ear pierced a second time just for the occasion.  Long hair, baggy clothes, earrings (this was before even old men wore earrings) I looked like someone that wouldn’t be good for your daughter.

When I walked in he instantly accepted me.  Talked to me like he’d known me forever.  By virtue of his size, 6 foot 3, 300 plus pounds, I was intimidated but he was a gentle soul.  After I left, Sonya’s mom cried.  I don’t blame her (she loves me now).  In her fear of the worst, she cried and told Larry that she wanted Sonya to marry a preacher.  (SIDENOTE: Sonya didn’t want to marry a preacher. She was looking for the furthest thing from God.)  When my mother in law said that to Larry, he replied, “Leave the boy alone Sandy, who knows what God can do in his life.”

It was that compassion for me, every time I came over, that led me to Christ.  One day after Sonya and I had been dating for a year, Larry invited me to church.  He had always talked to me about the things of God, but never forced anything on me.  He would tell me about Christ’s return and about the need to be ready, but he was never over-bearing.  That Saturday when he invited me to church and offered to buy me Panchos buffet after service, I decided to give it a try.

I had never been to a church quite like this one.  This one was different.  Full of the Spirit.  I was raised in a denomination that didn’t believe in the moving of the Spirit.  I felt something I had never felt before.  God touched me that morning in such a way that I realized my sinfulness.  I walked the aisle in the middle of the service and surrendered to Jesus.  As I walked that aisle, I remember the hand of a large man on my back.  It was Larry praying for me. 

The past 8 years, he has suffered much.  His body ravaged by disease, strokes and pain.  Yet in the midst of all of that, he prayed for everyone.  He was an intercessor. When he couldn’t see, walk or even get up anymore, he still prayed…he still would call out to God.  Even through all of that, he never lost his sense of humor…his agitating provoking ways.  His attitude was great through it all.

Now that he has gone, we know that he is experiencing the glories of a kingdom that knows no pain, no sickness or sorrow.  He is walking on his 2 brand new legs, dancing in the presence of Jesus. 

I love you Larry “Dad”!  Thank you for giving a punk kid a chance!

Hannah: “Satan was an angel and he wanted to be God. I thought of a good name for him: Mr. Demanding Pants.” #shesontosomethinghere

The greatest miracle God can do is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make him holy, put him back in an unholy world, & keep him holy. -Leonard Ravenhill-

Over the last several weeks I have been overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude.  I am thankful that God allows me to be in full-time ministry.  I think back to the few years that I was bi-vocational.  Working a full-time job and pastoring a full-time church.  Those were weary times but I was blessed to be able to be in ministry and preach the Word of God.

Now, every week, I have the privilege of serving the greatest church on earth.  When I look at what God has done in our church, I stand amazed at His goodness.  This year many have given their hearts to Christ.  In a few weeks we will be baptizing more people in water.  We are seeing growth.  New people equals new opportunities to impact lives.

I love hearing the stories of people, who in one way or another have been touched by RFA.  Either through our kid’s ministries, youth ministries, Sunday School or the church service…people are being ministered too.  There is always a deep satisfaction when one of the kids we pick up on the van on Wednesday night brings their parents to church.  God is good!

Furthermore, I am thankful to be able to preach the gospel, every week, to such a receptive crowd.  I truly look forward to every Wednesday and Sunday to share the Word of God.  What an honor it is to be called by God to RFA.

Sonya and I love you guys with all of our heart.  Thanks for letting us be your pastors!

This cartoon gave me a great idea…

After dinner at Golden Corral, Hannah’s favorite place, we came home for the birthday cake.

Six years ago today, Hannah entered the world and how she has changed our home.  She is a fun loving, sweet and affectionate little girl and she makes me and her mom very proud. 

I love to watch her being shaped into what God desires her to be.  I am fascinated when I walk out into the back yard while she is swinging.  I hear her worshipping the Lord by singing songs about Jesus.  She often sings familiar worship songs and many times she just makes those worship songs as she goes.  What intrigues me the most is when I walk out, she has me and everything else tuned out while she sings.  If she catches me looking at her, she’ll rebuke me and tell me not to bother her while she sings.  There is no doubt that she is going to be a worship leader.  She sings and already has learned to play the air guitar.

As most people know, she also loves horses.  For her birthday she received horse lessons for the next two months.  Her first lesson was yesterday and you would have thought she was in heaven being around all those horses. 

Happy birthday, my little Hannah!